Guy's Night 2009!

Ghana Log 15

You'd think it would be really cool to be the only couple guys in a big group of girls. For the most part, it is. But, every once in a while you need a break.

On Friday, the only two guys at the NYU compound (the other two were AWOL) hit the town. I wish I had more video to work with, but I think the YouTube clip I created is still fun to watch.

We went to Champs, which was really similar to a New York bar, and Tantra, a packed Osu club. A few of the girls crashed the party at Champs, but we were actually glad to see them.

The photo on the left is from my favorite comic of all time, Y: The Last Man.

Garin in Ghana

Ghana Log 14

My friend Garin has a fun blog called Follow Garin in Ghana that I recently helped with.

One of his friends from Florida sent him a list of misconceptions about Africa, so I did my best to clear them up.

It's crazy to think that in a few days I will have been living in Africa for one month.

You can view the article HERE.

Also, during research for an article I'm doing about African-Americans coming to Ghana I discovered that Garin probably has ancestors from England. So, considering my ancestors come from Scotland, he is the one oppressing me...in a roundabout kind of way. It seems strange considering he is such a nice guy, but now everytime I look at him I want to yell, "Freedoooommmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Obama Wrap-Up

Ghana Log 12

I feel like I am following this guy around.

So far, I have had seven published stories about Barack Obama. Three were on NYC Pavement Pieces, one (about Obama political buttons) for the New York Daily News, one in Socialist Worker, one in amNew York, and, as of yesterday, one in The New York Amsterdam News.

I also got my first ever photo credit for a story in The AFRican Magazine.

I also have written a lot about his policies on my blog. I even had a poll asking visitors if they cared about him visiting Ghana (72 percent said "Yes" and 27 percent said "No").

My personal views on the political system in the United States are much different than the president's supporters so I don't want to risk this blog becoming an "Obama blog." Regardless, I'm happy for each and every visitor to The Mid-Twenties.

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“In America the President reigns for four years, and Journalism governs for ever and ever” - Oscar Wilde

Africa Bites

Ghana Log 11

Well, it was going to happen eventually.

The hardest part about living in Africa, and one the things that has made life for Ghanaians so hard, is disease caused by a poor water supply. It is all too easy to get this bad water into food and, I assume, I ate something with contaminated water.

On Monday, I woke up feeling a little sick. I first took care of a student that had been throwing up all night and then went to class. The whole morning I felt like I might throw up myself, and then around noon it finally hit: I threw up more than I ever have in my whole life. At least 8 or 9 times.

Then, I went home and slept for four hours. When I woke up, it was the same thing all over again. Basically, my body was doing anything possible to get rid of something inside me. It was gross, painful, and exhausting.

Four other students ended up being sick too. We think it was from the same Chinese restaurant, but who knows. I'm happy to say, after a truly brutal 24 hours, I'm back to my old self.

I guess having stomach problems is part of the African experience.

My First Published Story from Ghana!

Ghana Log 9

Yesterday, Barack Obama visited Ghana and it was time for me to get to work. I wrote three stories for three different publications. It was a real challenge because I had to have different sources for each story and had to write them differently. It was rough, but by 7:15 p.m. I had submitted all the stories.

My first story published from this amazing country was in am New York.

You can read it HERE.

Obama Song is a Hit in Ghana

Ghana Log 8

Blakk Rasta, a Ghanaian reggae artist, created a hit song called "Barack Obama" that is all the rage here in Ghana.

You here it blaring on radios all across the capital, Accra.

Tomorrow I will go to the Convention Center where Barack Obama is speaking, and then attempt to follow him to the Cape Coast. I'm sure I'll be hearing this song A LOT.


You can read the lyrics Here.

Obama Excitement Grows in Ghana

Ghana Log 7

While wandering around Green Court, an area close to Labadi Beach, I met a 22-year-old student named Lovelace Telleh. I noticed that he wore a cross around his neck and we found out that we were both Catholic, so from that point of reference we started to hit it off. It turned out we shared an interest in music, writing, and talking about girls.

I was a bit nervous, at first, that Lovelace might not be as genuine as he seemed, but I was wrong. He helped me travel all around Accra, translated for me during interviews, took pictures for me while I interviewed, and taught me a lot about Ghana.

At the end of the day, I gave him some money for a taxi and he wouldn't take it! But, then I insisted and he finally took it. So, not bad for a Ghanaian. Anyways, he was an awesome guy and we will hang out again soon.

EXCLUSIVE: Baboon Risks Death in Harrowing Escape!!!!

Ghana Log 6

In a blatant disregard for his own life, a baboon known only as "Fred", runs across the highway in this exclusive clip obtained by The Mid-Twenties.

Little is known about Fred other than he is, in fact, a baboon, and was given his name by a mysterious and good-looking red-haired reporter.

WATCH AT YOUR OWN RISK!